News

Rakuten launches free takeout platform

April 14, 2020

In a quest to help struggling restaurants in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rakuten Americas is offering a free platform for providing takeout options to Rakuten members.

Members using Rakuten Takeout to place takeout orders will earn a 20% cashback on any order from their favorite local eateries, according to a press release.

The platform is free until November 2020 and available to restaurants in San Mateo, California. Rakuten Takeout will expand to the San Francisco Bay area and roll out nationally later this year.

The platform lets restaurants build a custom website where Rakuten members, which number about 13 million, can place orders and pay online.

"We hope that Rakuten Takeout will be a difference-maker for beloved, local mom-and-pop restaurants and help them continue to thrive long after the COVID-19 crisis ends," Amit Patel, CEO at Rakuten Americas, said in the release. "Everyone has favorite local restaurants for gathering with family and friends. We are committed to using our technology to help local beloved spots stay open and give their communities safe access to the meals they love."

Read FastCasual's COVID-19 coverage here.